Imperishable Paradise

2

"Damn it Drag, damn it!" The gang leader cursed as he took off his mask. One of the boys, Segun, was driving while the other sat at the back seat. The two had also taken off their masks. Segun did not answer his boss who kept on hitting his head and cursing himself. David, the other boy who was visibly older than Segun, turned to his boss, equally as angry as his boss was,
"Boss Drag, what happened there? You don't shoot the roof when you haven't shot the person." Shooting the roof was their sign of 'quickly exit'. That was why they all ran out when Drag shot the roof.
Drag showed his disappointment in himself as he cursed out loud again. This time Segun increased the speed. "I don't know what came over me!", Drag lamented.
"You couldn't shoot her, that's what," Segun said calmly, fully aware of his position as the youngest. The two older men looked at him. Though the boy spoke the truth, Drag felt embarrassed.
"Will you shut up boy and drive," he said looking away as if admitting the 'crime'. David looked at Segun.
"You have a talent for always stating the obvious. It's not a compliment. Just drive."
Drag looked at him and back at the dark road. There was someone behind them whose headlights shone at them.
"No one takes this road at this time of the night."
" That's why I chose to drive
through here," Segun answered David. He stopped.
"This is why I kill my victims," Drag said angrily as he saw Emilia stop and come out walking from the far place she parked behind to meet them. David laughed.
"Well, you were wrong boss. You do get a second chance to get your money. The gods smile You. What else will make Mr. Stephan happier than the news that his niece, the only heir to the company, is dead, making him next in line?"

Segun was dumbfounded. What would have made Emilia follow them?.
She walked boldly towards them. All three were out the of van before she arrived.
"Is this just bravery or like David said," he suddenly pulled his gun at her, "is this the gods giving me a second chance to claim my money from having you killed?" Emilia exhaled in fright and raised both her hands, she did not particularly anticipate this. She saw all three faces clearly now. They were just as she had anticipated.
"Do you think I want to be here?," she asked the leader. Unlike before when she did not see his face, now it was visible thanks to the moonlight. He had neatly carved beards on the side of his head and on his jaw. He was light in complexion -very light, thought Emilia. The other two were darker and more African in appearance than their leader. The man replaced his gun. Emilia signed and brought her hands down.
"And what would make a fly saved from the fire come back in?. Curiosity as to whether it'll die? You tell me".
" l'm not a fly,"Emilia pointed out.
"Nobody said you were. You should get the point."

Drag felt disorganized. Nothing like this has ever happened to him before. One, he doesn't talk to his victims. Two, he always kills them. But here was one victim who was defiling both rules.
"Who sent you?" Drag laughed at the question. Why do handsome men take to becoming hitmen, Emilia asked herself as she saw Drag's white teeth as he laughed.

"Do you think we'd tell you?".
" I didn't think", came the lady's reply.
"Obviously!. Nobody drives such an expensive car in a lonely road chasing assassins"
"I wasn't thinking like I said earlier. Please tell me who sent you?" She was obviously ignoring his teasing.
"Wanna meet him?," Drag asked sounding really serious. His companions turned to him.
"Please," Emilia answered. She turned her back, her hands behind her. Drag soon found himself tiring her up. She was in their van the next minute.
David drove her car, while Segun drove the van. Drag sat beside Emilia at the back.
"Why are you sitting here with me?"
"Cause I don't trust you."
"But I do, you." Segun half turned his face but stopped and looked through the front mirror at the two behind. The answer had surprised Drag, Segun could tell, as it did him.

This lady must be crazy, Segun thought. How could she trust Drag so much to come after them? He hasn't seen anyone play with life like this young lady. He looked through the side mirror. David seemed more than happy to be driving the latest Cross Tour.

Minutes later Emilia had become impatient.
"Hey." Drag did not answer Emilia. "Hey!"
"What is it?" Drag's face contorted.
"Aren't we there yet? I'm very uncomfortable." He didn't answer her.
Then, she started humming and singing loudly. Segun looked at the mirror again. This was getting to Drag's nerve, he could tell. What Drag did next nearly made Segun hold the car break. Drag took a hanky and tied Emilia's mouth. She could only resist with her body but Drag succeeded anyway because he was way stronger. She hung her head.